Drive mechanism for yarn winder

ABSTRACT

A stuffer crimper having a tube forming a crimping chamber and carrying a core of crimped yarn. A sensing device in the form of a strip or of one or more wires resting on the top of the core of yarn in the tube and extending outwardly through slots in the tube and joined to an external ring which rises and falls with the core. A winder in the form of a drum journalled on a constantly rotating shaft and driven thereby through a clutch which is actuated by said feeler in a sense to maintain the core at a substantially constant level in the tube.

United States Patent [191 Schrader Mar. 26, 1974 DRIVE MECHANISM FOR YARN WINDER Primary ExaminerLouis K. Rimrodt [76] inventor: Victor H. Schrader, 10 E. 40th St. Attorney Agent or Firm'TBiI-Ch Swindler' McKie &

New York, NY 10016 [22] Filed: Apr. 20, 1970 App]. N0.: 30,202

Related US. Application Data 5 7 ABSTRACT A stuffer crimper having a tube forming a crimping chamber and carrying a core of crimped yarn. A sensing device in the form of a strip or of one or more wires resting on the top of the core of yarn in the tube and extending outwardly through slots in the tube and joined to an external ring which rises and falls with the core. A winder in the form of a drum journalled on a constantly rotating shaft and driven thereby through a clutch which is actuated by said feeler in a sense to maintain the core at a substantially constant level in the tube.

15 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures pmmgnmzemm 7 1 9 sumlurs INVENTOR VICTOR H. SCHRADER ATTORNEY PATENTEnmzsmm SHEET 2 3 3798719 INVENTOR VICTOR H. SCHRADER ATTORNEY PATENTEUHARZB I974 SHEET SW 3 FIG. 10

INVENTOR VICTOR H. SCHRADER ATTORNEYS DRIVE MECHANISM FOR YARN WINDER This Application is a Continuation of Application Ser. No. 620,476, filed Mar. 3, 1967 now abandoned.

This invention relates to yarn winders or the like and more specifically to a drive mechanism for a winder and to a sensing device responsive to the level of the core of yarn in a core tube. 7

An object is to provide a mechanism of the above type wherein the winder drum is driven intermittently through a clutch which is actuated in response to a function of the yarn feed.

Another object is to provide a mechanism of the above type werein the drum is mounted on a shaft common with a series of like drums and each drum is individually driven intermittently through a clutch which is actuated in response to a function of the yarn feed. A further object is to provide a mechanism of the above type for use as a take-up for extracting yarn from the core crimped yarn in a stuffer crimper which has constant speed feed rolls.

Another object is to provide a sensing device for a stuffer crimper having novel and improved characteristics.

As a feature of the invention, the winder drum is driven from a constantly rotating shaft through a clutch mechanism which is actuated by a sensing device designed to maintain the delivery end of the core of crimped yarn at a substantially constant level.

Another feature of the invention is a sensing device for sensing the core of crimped yarn in a stuffer crimping tube, the core contacting portion of which extends outwardly through slots in the crimper tube so as to eliminate the possibility of pinching the yarn between; the device and the inner surface of the tube. The device: is so disposed that the outwardly extending portion ac-I tuates a control element for the take up drive or for the feed roll drive.

Various other features and details of construction will be apparent as the nature of the invention is more fully disclosed.

The invention will be better understood from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing in which a specific embodiment has been set forth for purposes of illustration.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a plan view partly in section ofa winder embodying the invention:

FIG. 2 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevation of the apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a cage sensing device for actuating the control mechanism.

FIG. 5 is a partial longitudinal section showing the upper end of a crimper tube having a modified form of sensing device;

FIG. 6 is a transverse section taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a section similar to FIG. 5 illustrating a further modified type of a sensing device;

FIG. 8 is a transverse section taken on the line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a section similar to FIG. 5 illustrating a still further embodiment of a sensing device and showing two positions in which the sensing elements can be positioned;

FIG. 10 is a transverse section taken on the line l0-l0 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a section similar to FIG. 9 illustrating still another embodiment of a sensing device and showing two additional positions of the sensing elements; and

FIG. 12 is a transverse section taken on the line 12-12 of FIG. 11.

Referring to the drawings more in detail one feature of the invention is shown as embodied in a winder for extracting and winding a crimped yarn from the core of crimped yarn in a stuffer crimper chamber. The stuffer crimper may be of standard type including a crimping chamber in the form of a tube 10 into which a yarn is fed by feed rolls to be folded over and crimped against a core 11 of previously crimped yarn in the tube. Such a stuffer crimper is shown by way of illustration in US. Pat. No. 3,200,466.

The discharge end of the crimping and setting tube 10 is shown in the drawing, it being understood that the core 11 of crimped yarn is formed in the tube 10 in the manner shown in the above mentioned patent or in similar known apparatus having feed rolls driven at a constant speed.

In accordance with the present invention the yarn 12 is shown as withdrawn from the core 11 onto a package 13 which rests on and is driven by a driving drum 14.

The drum 14 comprises a cylinder 18 carrying a pair of internal rings 19 which provide additional weight for inertia purposes. The cylinder 18 is journalled on a constantly rotating shaft 20, which is shown in FIG. 1 as common to more than one winding unit, by means of a pair of bearings 21 and 22 having outer races 23 and 24 fitted in housings 25 and 26 which are pressfitted within the cylinder 18 and having inner races 27 and 28 disposed on the shaft 20 and fixed thereon by set screws 30 and 31.

A friction disc 32 is attached to the housing 26 and forms one element of a driving clutch 34. A spline 33 fixed to the shaft 20 projects beyond the disc 32 and carries a sleeve 35 which meshes with the spline for rotation therewith and is axially slidable thereon. The sleeve 35 is formed with a radial face 36 which constitutes the driving element of the clutch 34 and is adapted to engage the friction disc 32 when in advanced or driving position and to be retracted therefrom for disengaging the clutch.

A collar 41 is journalled on the sleeve 35 by a bearing 42. A yoke 43 is pivoted to the collar 41 by cone point screws 46. The yoke 43 is carried at one end of an arm 47, the other end of which is pivoted at 48 for swinging movement in a direction to engage and disengage the disc clutch.

The arm 47 is actuated by the core 50 of a solenoid 51 through a spring 52. A return spring 53 retracts the arm to disengage the clutch when the solenoid is deenergized. The solenoid is connected to be energized or deenergized by a switch 55 having a control pin 56 which is actuated by a wire 57 pivoted at 58 and positioned to be engaged by a ring 60 forming a part of a sensing device 61 which rises and falls with variations in the level of the core 11 of crimped yarn in the crimping tube 10.

As the amount of crimped yarn in the tube 10 increases, the sensing member rises until the ring 60 thereof engages the wire 57 and pushes the same outwardly to close the solenoid switch 55 and energize the solenoid 51 to engage the clutch 34 and cause the cylinder 18 to be positively driven by the rotating shaft 20. The winder 14 thus withdraws the yarn 12 from the core 11 until the level of the top of the core falls to a point such that the ring 60 of the sensing gage releases the wire 57 and allows the switch 55 to open. When this occurs the arm 47 is retracted by the spring 53 and the clutch is released. However, the inertia of the drum 14 and of the package causes the winder to continue to rotate, but at a decreasing rate until the level of the core rises sufficiently to re-engage the clutch. The winder thus fluctuates in speed between the full rate of the driving shaft 20 and a decreasing rate determined by the inertia of the parts and the length of time between clutch engagements. The level of the core is thus maintained substantially constant and within the range required to engage the wire 57.

In order to stop the feed in the case of a yarn breakage, a stop switch 70 is mounted adjacent the tube and is actuated by an arm 71 which is located at a point above the wire 57. The arm 71 is positioned to be engaged and actuated by the ring 60 of the cage in the event the core should rise above the prescribed level and is connected to stop the feed rolls so as to interrupt the operation until the yarn breakage has been corrected.

In some instances it has been found desirable to prevent the winder from actually coming to rest between driving impulses. The deceleration depends upon several factors such as the inertia of the parts, the driving speed, and the dwell between driving impulses. If there is too great a change in speeds between the driving and non-driving periods and the clutch engages rapidly, an excessive torque may be applied at the instant of closing. In order to avoid this an intermittent pulsing mechanism may be provided for engaging the clutch periodically during the normally open periods. Such a mechanism is shown as comprising a motor 76 mounted on a bracket 75 and driving a shaft 79 carrying a gear 77 which meshes with a gear 78 on a shaft 79 carrying a rotating cam 80. The cam 80 is disposed to actuate a mercury switch 82 through an actuating arm 81 so as to close and open the switch 82 periodically in a predetermined timed cycle. The switch 82 is connected in parallel with the switch 55 and when closed, energizes the solenoid S1 for engaging the clutch 34 for driving the roll 18.

When the switch 55 is closed the clutch 34 remains engaged and the second switch 82 is ineffective. However, when the first switch 55 is open the second switch 82 causes the clutch 34 to be periodically engaged in a cycle which is selected to prevent the roll 18 from coming to rest between impulses of the control switch 55.

The sensing device 61 is shown in H6. 3 as comprising a pair of spaced rings 60 and 64 which are adapted to slide over the outer surface of the tube 10 and are joined by a plurality of wires 62. These wires extend substantially vertically between the rings 60 and 64 with their central parts bent inwardly to extend through a series of vertical slots 59 in the upper end of the tube 10 in the zone of the discharge end of the core 11. The wires 62 thus converge at their centers to form a sensing device of hour glass shape, the lower part of which rests against the sides of the core 11 at its leading end so that the device rises and falls with the end of the core.

The construction is such that the sensing device may be relatively light in weight, or may be ofa heavy material, depending on the back weight desired, and is adapted to apply a controlled back pressure on the core. Additional weights may be applied to the sensing device for this purpose if desired. The rings 60 and 64 have a small clearance with the outer wall of the tube 10 and are positioned to engage wire 57 as explained above when the sensing device rises in accordance with the quantity of crimped yarn in the tube.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6 the crimping tube 10a is identical with the tube 10 of FIG. 3 except that a pair of slots are disposed diametrically on the tube near its discharge end and in the zone of the end of the core 1 l. The sensing device is composed of a flat strip 91 extending through the slots 90 and having flanges 92a at its end to hold the strip in position as it rises and falls on the core 11. The strip 91 is formed with straight edges 93 forming an inverted V" having an arcuate apex 94 to avoid injury to the yarn. The sensing device rests against the discharge end of the core 11 and the outer flange 92a is disposed to engage and actuate the switch arm 57 in the same manner as the ring 60 shown in FlG. 3 for controlling the winder in a sense to maintain the core 11 at a substantially constant level.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8 the crimping tube 10a is formed with a pair of slots 90 as in FIGS. 5 and 6 and the sensing device is in the form of a wire which is bent to form a pair of straight, upwardly inclined portions 101 which extend through the slots 90 and rest against the sides of the core 11 at its leading end in the tube 100. The upwardly inclined portions 10! are followed by outwardly extending portions 102 which extend outwardly through the slots 90 and join a flat top portion 103 to form a pair of symmetrically disposed loops. The lower ends of the wire are bent into a pair of opposed semi-circular portions 104 which extend around the outside of the tube 10a for guiding the sensing device as it rises and falls with the crimped core 11. The outer loop portions 102 of the device are disposed to engage and actuate the switch arm 57 as in FIG. 3.

In FIGS. 9 and 10 the sensing device is composed of a split block having two halves 110a and 11Gb clamped together by bolts 111 and having a bore to receive the tube 100 so that the block 110 is free to slide vertically on the outside of the tube. A pair of bent wire sensing elements 112 are adjustably positioned and clamped between the parts of the block 110. Each element is composed of a straight portion 112a and a curved portion 112b forming in effect a semi-circular element having an opening through which the clamping bolts extend and which has sufficient clearance with the bolts to permit adjustment of the position of the elements.

FIG. 9 illustrates various positions in which the elements 112 may be set. In the full line position of FIG. 9 the portions 112a are disposed in the form of an inverted V which rests against the sides of the core 11 at its leading end. The angle of the V" may be selected as desired and the lateral spacing of the elements may be varied. The dotted position shows the elements 112 set with the portions 112a substantially horizontal and in line.

in FIGS. 11 and 12 the sensing device is composed of a split block 110 having two identical halves 110a and 110b clamped together by adjusting studs 211 and nuts 213. In this embodiment the pair of bent wire sensing elements 212 are welded to the studs 211 and extensions 214 of studs 211 are flattened, as at 215. These flattened portions in combination with the welded sensing wires facilitate adjustment of the latter.

In FIG. 11 the elements are disposed with the curved portions 2l2b at the bottom to contact the core 11. In the full line position the elements are upwardly inclined and in the dotted position they are substantially horizontal. Obviously the elements may be set at any intermediate position as required in any particular instance.

Regardless of the setting, the block is adapted to engage and actuate the switch arm 57 as it rises and falls with the core 11. The remainder of the mechanism in connection with the various embodiments of FIGS. 5 to 12 may be the same as that of FIGS. 1 to 4.

The sensing device, in all of the forms above described, provides a thin strip or one or more wires which rest upon the upper end of the core 11 with a minimum area of contact. Hence a large part of the upper surface of the core remains exposed and free of any mechanical impedance to the withdrawal of the crimped filament. The friction drag of the sensing device on the yarn is reduced to a point such that no substantial variations in tension occur as the yarn is withdrawn by the winder. While the sensing elements extend entirely across the tube they are shaped to rest primarily on the yarn at the periphery of the core and the top surface of the core builds up into a conical form conforming to the shape of the under surface of the contacting strip or wires of the sensing element. Since the sensing element is freely slidable along the tube with the core as the latter rises and falls throughout its range of movement.

Since the portions of the sensing elements which contact the end of the core extend outwardly through slots in the crimper tube to guide and position the device, there is no point within the tube where the yarn could be pinched between the device and the walls of the tube. The withdrawal of the yarn from the end of the core is thus facilitated and the tendency for yarn and filament breakage is correspondingly reduced.

1 claim:

1. In a stuffer crimper including a member having walls forming a crimping chamber and having means feeding a yarn for crimping into one end of said chamber to be folded over and crimped against a core of previously crimped yarn therein and to advance the core along said chamber to a discharge point, a sensing device having a portion engaging the upper end periphery of said core within said chamber at said discharge point and adapted to slide along said chamber in response to the rise and fall of said core, said device having elements extending outwardly through slots in said walls and having means engaging said walls to guide said device as it slides along said walls in response to changes in elevation of said core, whereby the device permits. the withdrawal of the crimped yarn under substantially uniform tension throughout its range of movement.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including a feed control element having an actuating member resting upon and actuated by said outwardly extending elements.

3. In a stuffer crimper including a member having walls forming a crimping chamber and having means feeding a yarn for crimping into one end of said chamber to be folded over and crimped against a core of previously crimped yarn therein and to advance the core along said chamber to a discharge point, a sensing device having a portion resting against the end periphery of said core within said chamber at said discharge point and adapted to slide along said chamber in response to the rise and fall of said core, said portion extending outwardly through slots in said walls and having means engaging said walls to guide said device as it slides along said walls in response to changes in elevation of said core, whereby the device permits the withdrawal of the crimped yarn under substantially uniform tension throughout its range of movement.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 in which said sensing device comprises a pair of axially spaced ring members sliding along said walls and interconnecting members joining said ring members, disposed within said chamber and shaped to form oppositely coned parts resting on said core through which said yarn is extracted.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 in which a switch arm is positioned to be actuated by one of said ring members as the sensing device rises and falls along said chamber.

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 in which the sensing device comprises a pair of vertically spaced rings disposed to slide along the crimping chamber and vertical members attached to said rings to form a cage like element, said vertical members having inner edges extending through slots in said walls and having inclined lower portions together forming an inverted V which rests against the core of crimped yarn in said chamber.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 6 in which said rings are disposed to slide along the outside of said walls and the vertical members are bent wires extending through slots in said walls and together have an hourglass form, the lower portion of which rests against said core.

8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 in which the portion of the sensing device resting on said core comprises a vertical flat plate having ends extending through opposed slots in said walls and having a lower surface within said chamber in the form of an inverted V" resting on said core and adapted to rise and fall therewith.

9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 in which the flat plate is in the fonn of a single flat bar extending through said opposed slots and having outer flanges disposed to slide along said walls to guide said bar, a control member for controlling the rate of withdrawal of the yarn from said core, said outer flanges having means to engage and actuate said control member.

10. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 in which said sensing device resting on said core comprises a pair of members disposed in said chamber and extending respectively through opposed slots in said walls, said members having lower surfaces resting on said core and being mounted for relative adjustment for varying the relative angular positions of said lower surfaces.

1 1. Apparatus as set forth in claim 10 in which a split block is disposed to slide on the outside of said walls and said members are clamped in said split block.

12. Apparatus as set forth in claim ll in which said members are in the form of bent wires having a straight portion and a curved portion forming substantially a semicircle with portions of said wire disposed to rest against said core.

13. In combination with a stuffer crimper including a chamber carrying a core of crimped yarn and constantly rotating feed rolls feeding yarn thereto for crimping, a yarn winder including a package support carrying a winding and connected to extract crimped yarn from said core, a driving drum engaging and rotating said winding, a constantly rotating shaft, bearing means mounting said drum on said shaft, a releasable clutch interconnecting said drum and said shaft, sensing means positioned along said chamber for sensing the quantity of said core of crimped yarn, control means actuated by said sensing means to control said clutch in a sense to maintain said quantity of crimped yarn substantially constant, solenoid means connected to actuate said clutch, a switch actuated by said sensing means to control said solenoid means, and means for energizing said solenoid means periodically at fixed intervals when said sensing means is in clutch releasing position.

14. Apparatus as set forth in claim 13 in which said last means comprises a second switch connected in parallel with said first switch, and a rotating cam connected to close said second switch periodically in a timed cycle.

15. The method of controlling the operation of a stuffer crimper wherein the yarn is fed continuously into one end of a crimping chamber to be folded over and crimped against the core of previously crimped yarn in said chamber and wherein the crimped yarn is extracted from the other end of said core by a winder, which method comprises sensing the position of the discharge end of said core, causing said winder to operate at a predetermined speed in response to a rise of the core above a predetermined level and causing the Winder to operate intermittently in a timed cycle when the core falls below said predetermined level so that the rate of withdrawal of the crimped yarn is decreased but not entirely stopped until the core again rises to said predetermined level. 

1. In a stuffer crimper including a member having walls forming a crimping chamber and having means feeding a yarn for crimping into one end of said chamber to be folded over and crimped against a core of previously crimped yarn therein and to advance the core along said chamber to a discharge point, a sensing device having a portion engaging the upper end periphery of said core within said chamber at said discharge point and adapted to slide along said chamber in response to the rise and fall of said core, said device having elements extending outwardly through slots in said walls and having means engaging said walls to guide said device as it slides along said walls in response to changes in elevation of said core, whereby the device permits the withdrawal of the crimped yarn under substantially uniform tension throughout its range of movement.
 2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including a feed control element having an actuating member resting upon and actuated by said outwardly extending elements.
 3. In a stuffer crimper including a member having walls forming a crimping chamber and having means feeding a yarn for crimping into one end of said chamber to be folded over and crimped against a core of previously crimped yarn therein and to advance the core along said chamber to a discharge point, a sensing device having a portion resting against the end periphery of said core within said chamber at said discharge point and adapted to slide along said chamber in response to the rise and fall of said core, said portion extending outwardly through slots in said walls and having means engaging said walls to guide said device as it slides along said walls in response to changes in elevation of said core, whereby the device permits the withdrawal of the crimped yarn under substantially uniform tension throughout its range of movement.
 4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 in which said sensing device comprises a pair of axially spaced ring members sliding along said walls and interconnecting members joining said ring members, disposed within said chamber and shaped to form oppositely coned parts resting on said core through which said yarn is extracted.
 5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 in which a switch arm is positioned to be actuated by one of said ring members as the sensing device rises and falls along said chamber.
 6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 in which the sensing device comprises a pair of vertically spaced rings disposed to slide along the crimping chamber and vertical members attached to said rings to form a cage like element, said vertical members having inner edges extending through slots in said walls and having inclined lower portions together forming an inverted ''''V'''' which rests against the core of crimped yarn in said chamber.
 7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 6 in which said rings are disposed to slide along the outside of said walls and the vertical members are bent wires extending through slots in said walls and together have an hourglass form, the lower portion of which rests against said core.
 8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 in which the portion of the sensing device resting on said core comprises a vertical flat plate having ends extending through opposed slots in said walls and having a lower surface within said chamber in the form of an inverted ''''V'''' resting on said core and adApted to rise and fall therewith.
 9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 in which the flat plate is in the form of a single flat bar extending through said opposed slots and having outer flanges disposed to slide along said walls to guide said bar, a control member for controlling the rate of withdrawal of the yarn from said core, said outer flanges having means to engage and actuate said control member.
 10. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 in which said sensing device resting on said core comprises a pair of members disposed in said chamber and extending respectively through opposed slots in said walls, said members having lower surfaces resting on said core and being mounted for relative adjustment for varying the relative angular positions of said lower surfaces.
 11. Apparatus as set forth in claim 10 in which a split block is disposed to slide on the outside of said walls and said members are clamped in said split block.
 12. Apparatus as set forth in claim 11 in which said members are in the form of bent wires having a straight portion and a curved portion forming substantially a semicircle with portions of said wire disposed to rest against said core.
 13. In combination with a stuffer crimper including a chamber carrying a core of crimped yarn and constantly rotating feed rolls feeding yarn thereto for crimping, a yarn winder including a package support carrying a winding and connected to extract crimped yarn from said core, a driving drum engaging and rotating said winding, a constantly rotating shaft, bearing means mounting said drum on said shaft, a releasable clutch interconnecting said drum and said shaft, sensing means positioned along said chamber for sensing the quantity of said core of crimped yarn, control means actuated by said sensing means to control said clutch in a sense to maintain said quantity of crimped yarn substantially constant, solenoid means connected to actuate said clutch, a switch actuated by said sensing means to control said solenoid means, and means for energizing said solenoid means periodically at fixed intervals when said sensing means is in clutch releasing position.
 14. Apparatus as set forth in claim 13 in which said last means comprises a second switch connected in parallel with said first switch, and a rotating cam connected to close said second switch periodically in a timed cycle.
 15. The method of controlling the operation of a stuffer crimper wherein the yarn is fed continuously into one end of a crimping chamber to be folded over and crimped against the core of previously crimped yarn in said chamber and wherein the crimped yarn is extracted from the other end of said core by a winder, which method comprises sensing the position of the discharge end of said core, causing said winder to operate at a predetermined speed in response to a rise of the core above a predetermined level and causing the winder to operate intermittently in a timed cycle when the core falls below said predetermined level so that the rate of withdrawal of the crimped yarn is decreased but not entirely stopped until the core again rises to said predetermined level. 